Highland Council Delivery Programme - Requesting Input

Dear all, 

The Highland Council is updating its Local Development Plan Delivery Programme and is looking for input from community groups.

What is the purpose of the Delivery Programme?

The Delivery Programme identifies the infrastructure, services and community facilities that may be needed to support future development in Highland.

This could include things like roads, schools, healthcare, village halls, sports facilities, community hubs and outdoor spaces. It also sets out who may be responsible for delivering these projects and when they might happen.

We are interested in hearing about improvements and/or new community facilities that may be needed to support growth in your area. The feedback we are looking for lets us identify what may be needed and consider if it may be appropriate for developer contributions to be sought towards it. It is not about commenting on specific planning applications or planning policies.

What do we need?

If your community group has a project that you believe is required for growth in your area and may qualify for developer contributions, it must:

• Meet the requirements of the Developer Contributions Protocol

• Not already be listed in the Highland Delivery Programme 

• 
  

We would like details of any community facility projects or proposals that could help inform the updated Delivery Programme.

Please provide answers to the following: 

• What is the project? 

• Where is it located?

• Why is it needed?

• When is it required?

• What are the estimated costs (if known)?

• Are you aware of any possible funding sources or partners?

Would appreciate if any responses could be provided by Friday 11 September 2026.

A PDF copy of the 2025 Delivery Programme is attached and can be accessed from the Council’s website – https://www.highland.gov.uk/planning-area/delivering-development-plans/1 

Please note 

Developer contributions can only be used where there is a clear link between a new development and the need for a facility.

For example, expanding a community facility because more people will be moving into the area may be eligible. General upgrades to existing facilities usually are not.

All suggestions will be assessed against planning policy and legal requirements. For more information, please see:

Community facilities contributions - Developer Contributions - Highland Council

Developer contributions protocol - Developer Contributions - Highland Council

We recognise that some information in the current 2025 Delivery Programme may be out of date. We are therefore seeking updated information and feedback from a range of interested parties to help inform the next version.

What happens next?

We will review all feedback received, and requests may be considered at a Developer Contributions Board meeting. We will then make any necessary changes before finalising and publishing the updated Delivery Programme.

If you have any questions or need more information, please contact: devplans@highland.gov.uk

The Call for Ideas – A Separate Survey 

This is a public survey where Highland Council is asking local people, communities and businesses to suggest ideas for how land, buildings, green spaces, and local places in the Highlands should be planned, protected, improved, or developed in the future as part of a new 10-year Local Development Plan.

If this interests you, further information is available on the following web page: 

Project: Call for Ideas Survey | The Highland Council

We look forward to your input and suggestions.

Best wishes, 

Anton